Looking for help

[Pavel]

Hi guys.
I am traveling on my Valk through U.S. and I have small issue with my drive shaft(oil is leaking-probably gasket).But as bike is my home for last 4months and next 6 I have no garage or place to fix it.I am from Czech Republic and I travel with my girlfriend.We did 18000 miles so far with no issues and we still have more than 25 to go.We are traveling with low budget.That's why I am asking here and not in the dealership.This page was great source of information for me before we started so I am just trying and any advice is welcome.We are in Rapid City now and we are heading West to the coast and south after.
Thank you very much.

[MP]

Exactly where is it leaking?  Actual driveshaft, or rear end?  How much?  A little, a lot?  Will help diagnose problem. Check rear end oil level, add if needed. Won't hurt anything, if keep oil full.  As long as not so much as can get on tire.

[Gavin_Sons]

This site was a great resource to you but you decide to wait til you need help to post anything. Maybe you should have made friends first before the trip and people would be more likley to help.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Don't worry about some on here. If you are still having issues when you pass this way, I'd be glad to help you. Do as MP says though. Check your fluid level on the pumpkin and add if needed. Sounds like a great trip by the way. 

[Gavin_Sons]

Don't worry about some on here. If you are still having issues when you pass this way, I'd be glad to help you. Do as MP says though. Check your fluid level on the pumpkin and add if needed. Sounds like a great trip by the way. 

  whatever, just sounds really suspicious. Traveling on a low budget, on a bike, in another country? None of that threw a red flag in your face? He may really have a problem and I'd be more than happy to help, but we need more information.

[Hook#3287]

Don't worry about some on here. If you are still having issues when you pass this way, I'd be glad to help you. Do as MP says though. Check your fluid level on the pumpkin and add if needed. Sounds like a great trip by the way. 

  whatever, just sounds really suspicious. Traveling on a low budget, on a bike, in another country? None of that threw a red flag in your face? He may really have a problem and I'd be more than happy to help, but we need more information.

Suspicions of what?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Don't worry about some on here. If you are still having issues when you pass this way, I'd be glad to help you. Do as MP says though. Check your fluid level on the pumpkin and add if needed. Sounds like a great trip by the way. 

  whatever, just sounds really suspicious. Traveling on a low budget, on a bike, in another country? None of that threw a red flag in your face? He may really have a problem and I'd be more than happy to help, but we need more information.

Maybe. But if I were to take off riding around Europe for a year, I'm sure I'd have to be on a budget also. If he was running a scam, what is he after ? Some free advice, some 80-90 gear oil ?

Pavel, if you can give us more info about what's going on. We will try to help.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

Don't worry about some on here. If you are still having issues when you pass this way, I'd be glad to help you. Do as MP says though. Check your fluid level on the pumpkin and add if needed. Sounds like a great trip by the way. 

  whatever, just sounds really suspicious. Traveling on a low budget, on a bike, in another country? None of that threw a red flag in your face? He may really have a problem and I'd be more than happy to help, but we need more information.

Suspicions of what?

foreigners, I suspect. 

[Oss]

no cell phone # (not even a burner?)  no internet address

Is this a test or a bogus post with no follow up for 10 hrs?

Is this a european member who had the money to ship a bike to the US but is now suddenly low budget or did he buy one here and riding without registering it?

Either way if he was in my area I would offer to assist.  

I had trouble after leaving Keystone once on 16 and both MP and BearintheHouse were offering assistance.   Good men both.
I made it to the Cody area with no front brakes - yeah the Big Horn mountains are steep lol

10 months on the road?  Good luck riding 43000 miles(even KM) without changing tires somewhere, rear end services and 5 oil changes.  Sure hope they will put up a blog as that is a trip of a lifetime.

[fudgie]

Don't worry about some on here. If you are still having issues when you pass this way, I'd be glad to help you. Do as MP says though. Check your fluid level on the pumpkin and add if needed. Sounds like a great trip by the way. 

  whatever, just sounds really suspicious. Traveling on a low budget, on a bike, in another country? None of that threw a red flag in your face? He may really have a problem and I'd be more than happy to help, but we need more information.

Not really. Around rally time you will be surprised how many come over here and ride. Most I talk to ride for months then go back. A lot ride solo or they ride in packs. Hard to miss 50 bikes and a chaser with foreign flags. The Sturgis fb group I belong to have a lot from south America that ride all the way to Sturgis.

[fudgie]

Get a inspection at Rice Honda in Rapid City or Outdoor motorsports in Spearfish. Once you know what is wrong go from there. Where is your next stop?

[Oss]

Good luck getting any dealer before Tuesday.  I would guess the big gasket over the final drive got buggered when you did the last tire change or rear end service.  

I can see you were within a few miles of me earlier. Nice FB page.

Best of luck with balance of your trip

[Pavel]

Thank you all for reactions.
It's leaking from rear end.not Super badly but it is leaking and all rim has stains from oil.It doesn't go on tire much(just little bit nothing dangerous).
Yes I didn't do any post and I was just using this site like source of experiences and advices.But reason for that is simple.I didn't have any experience to share.I was riding Suzuki GSF1200,Yamaha XJR1300,BMW1200gs.Do no Honda and no Valkyrie.
I have some experience now.I build my own saddle bags and my own extra gas tank(because of the long stretches with no gas in Alaska) I also built my own till box under the bike(place where belly tanks goes).I am not asking for anything for free.
When I last time changed my tires it was in Ottawa  and it was in the garage where you can rent the bench for time you need for decent money.But I couldn't find it here.
I just asked here because I found people here always very helpful to each other.I bought oil already and I am sure it will be fine for few more thousands.
I was just hoping someone will now about place where I can jack up my bike and solve it.

OK I didn't say that here.I shipped the bike to Vancouver(that's where we started and than we went to Alaska and cross Canada)Shipping was 800CAD and I found here in dealership where I was asking approximately for the labour price it could be around the same money.And I am hoping to still have money to ship it back after the trip.That's why I am being cheap.
Anyway my email address is:hushapavel@gmail.com
You can also see our Facebook group: L&P roadtrip(pictures etc).

Thank you

[fudgie]

Thank you all for reactions.
It's leaking from rear end.not Super badly but it is leaking and all rim has stains from oil.It doesn't go on tire much(just little bit nothing dangerous).
Yes I didn't do any post and I was just using this site like source of experiences and advices.But reason for that is simple.I didn't have any experience to share.I was riding Suzuki GSF1200,Yamaha XJR1300,BMW1200gs.Do no Honda and no Valkyrie.
I have some experience now.I build my own saddle bags and my own extra gas tank(because of the long stretches with no gas in Alaska) I also built my own till box under the bike(place where belly tanks goes).I am not asking for anything for free.
When I last time changed my tires it was in Ottawa  and it was in the garage where you can rent the bench for time you need for decent money.But I couldn't find it here.
I just asked here because I found people here always very helpful to each other.I bought oil already and I am sure it will be fine for few more thousands.
I was just hoping someone will now about place where I can jack up my bike and solve it.

OK I didn't say that here.I shipped the bike to Vancouver(that's where we started and than we went to Alaska and cross Canada)Shipping was 800CAD and I found here in dealership where I was asking approximately for the labour price it could be around the same money.And I am hoping to still have money to ship it back after the trip.That's why I am being cheap.
Anyway my email address is:hushapavel@gmail.com
You can also see our Facebook group: L&P roadtrip(pictures etc).

Thank you

It could just be grease dropped onto the rim. Mine does tht when I over grease it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I agree with Fudgie. It's probably a broken o-ring letting greases sling out. Have you been changing them at tire changes ? I can't do Facebook. They banned me for life. (Just kidding) Any chance you or somebody else could post a link ? Really would love to read about your ride.  Like I say, if your in the area I can help. You may have been given a bad first impression of us, but I hope you'll give us a second look. 


You are my hero ! I can not imagine riding a foreign country for this long and far. You are the man. 

[baldo]

I agree with Fudgie. It's probably a broken o-ring letting greases sling out. Have you been changing them at tire changes ? I can't do Facebook. They banned me for life. (Just kidding) Any chance you or somebody else could post a link ? Really would love to read about your ride.  Like I say, if your in the area I can help. You may have been given a bad first impression of us, but I hope you'll give us a second look. 


You are my hero ! I can not imagine riding a foreign country for this long and far. You are the man. 

Those FB bastardos......you too?

And I'm sure Pavel recognizes the good folks here........

I'd be more than happy to help if you're in my area, Pavel. Major kudos for taking such an awesome trip!

[six2go #152]

"we are heading West to the coast and south after."

I recently saw in a motorcycle magazine that one of those places where you can rent space to work on your bike opened in San Francisco. They have tools also. I don't have the magazine anymore but if you get to San Francisco and ask around, you could probably find out where it is. They seem to be doing a good business so some rider may be able to point you in the right direction. Good Luck!

[The emperor has no clothes]

I agree with Fudgie. It's probably a broken o-ring letting greases sling out. Have you been changing them at tire changes ? I can't do Facebook. They banned me for life. (Just kidding) Any chance you or somebody else could post a link ? Really would love to read about your ride.  Like I say, if your in the area I can help. You may have been given a bad first impression of us, but I hope you'll give us a second look. 


You are my hero ! I can not imagine riding a foreign country for this long and far. You are the man. 

Those FB bastardos......you too?

And I'm sure Pavel recognizes the good folks here........

I'd be more than happy to help if you're in my area, Pavel. Major kudos for taking such an awesome trip!

actually I may have misstated the banning thing. It was more of a case of my Facebook profile not attracting one friend in 26 years. They finally got tired of me taking up valuable internet space and figured they would uninvite me. They thought I was one of those internet bots because I had -34 friends.  

[Gavin_Sons]

Thank you all for reactions.
It's leaking from rear end.not Super badly but it is leaking and all rim has stains from oil.It doesn't go on tire much(just little bit nothing dangerous).
Yes I didn't do any post and I was just using this site like source of experiences and advices.But reason for that is simple.I didn't have any experience to share.I was riding Suzuki GSF1200,Yamaha XJR1300,BMW1200gs.Do no Honda and no Valkyrie.
I have some experience now.I build my own saddle bags and my own extra gas tank(because of the long stretches with no gas in Alaska) I also built my own till box under the bike(place where belly tanks goes).I am not asking for anything for free.
When I last time changed my tires it was in Ottawa  and it was in the garage where you can rent the bench for time you need for decent money.But I couldn't find it here.
I just asked here because I found people here always very helpful to each other.I bought oil already and I am sure it will be fine for few more thousands.
I was just hoping someone will now about place where I can jack up my bike and solve it.

OK I didn't say that here.I shipped the bike to Vancouver(that's where we started and than we went to Alaska and cross Canada)Shipping was 800CAD and I found here in dealership where I was asking approximately for the labour price it could be around the same money.And I am hoping to still have money to ship it back after the trip.That's why I am being cheap.
Anyway my email address is:hushapavel@gmail.com
You can also see our Facebook group: L&P roadtrip(pictures etc).

Thank you

I am no longer suspicious. I hope someone close to you can check it out. Sounds like one hell of an adventure you are on. Please keepus updated with problems/issues. Sorry for my previous posts. There have been a few trying to take advantage of this great group of guys. Someone has to be the bad guy. 

[old2soon]

You git in my neck of the woods-Southern Missouri-I've got a lift and an adapter and tools. And the most important-Clymer manual for the 1520 Valkyries. You git here on a Friday there is a place in town that has an all you can eat catfish fry!   Hope you git her sorted out there Pavel. Sounds like the advice you've received thus far is good. RIDE SAFE.

[RainMaker]

Nowhere near Rapid City or the West Coast, but if you swing thru Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth) I do have O-rings, a lift, a lift adaptor, etc so we can drop the rear wheel and inspect the work on it and see if there are missing O-rings, grease slinging, etc.  Just let me know.

There are also a lot of other riders around here who can fix almost anything on a Valkyrie.

RainMaker
Arlington, TX

[Bronxboy]

Most here are Great people  If u happen to cross paths with Bill (Big BF) he is the traveling repair Dude.

Also if u wind up in Florida, give us a heads up, as we have a Great Group of folks here u can count on to either repair your Valk, and or show u a Good time as well 

Sounds like an Awesome trip...ride safe...check in and let us know how u are making out 

[Savago]

@Pavel: what an adventure!

If you make it all the way to California (more specifically San Francisco Bay Area), let me know.
 

[3fan4life]

I agree with Fudgie. It's probably a broken o-ring letting greases sling out. Have you been changing them at tire changes ? I can't do Facebook. They banned me for life. (Just kidding) Any chance you or somebody else could post a link ? Really would love to read about your ride.  Like I say, if your in the area I can help. You may have been given a bad first impression of us, but I hope you'll give us a second look. 


You are my hero ! I can not imagine riding a foreign country for this long and far. You are the man. 

Those FB bastardos......you too?

And I'm sure Pavel recognizes the good folks here........

I'd be more than happy to help if you're in my area, Pavel. Major kudos for taking such an awesome trip!

actually I may have misstated the banning thing. It was more of a case of my Facebook profile not attracting one friend in 26 years. They finally got tired of me taking up valuable internet space and figured they would uninvite me. They thought I was one of those internet bots because I had -34 friends.  

I can't possibly imagine why you would have trouble making friends. 

[Moonshot_1]

Wow! What a trip! Wonderful photos. Nice bike.
As to your current situation. The thought that it just maybe to much grease in there and it is seeping out is the likely possibility. Exact same thing happened to me last year on a trip to Colorado. It was hot. The bike was handling a little weird due to a lost wheel weight and when I stopped to check it out I found the wheel covered in black junk and thick oozing out from the rear. Thought the worst. Took it to a local shop and they took it apart, found it to be virtually pristine inside and discovered it was out of balance.

Hope you find that you had a little too much grease at the last tire change and all is well.

[Hook#3287]

Great trip, great pictures

Are you still planning on South America?

I agree with the others, the leak is probably from over greasing.

Check the oil in the rear end, ripe the oil/grease off and watch for more.  Bet it stops.

Have a great trip!!!

[Rams]

I don't do facebook, so I won't be seeing your pictures.
Not sure where you're at either but, if you pass through Kentucky, give me a shout and we'll do something (even if it ain't right).   

If you still need assistance with the bike, I have a pretty well equipped shop, big air compressor with air tools, a bike lift, a two post car lift, welder, etc..........   I'm not a bike mechanic and normally have parts left over when I'm done  but, if you need a hand, give me a shout.

[baird4444]

Awesome trip!  If ya gets to the western slope of Colorado, Montrose and need a lay over with a spare bed and tools and shop give me a shout....    PM.....
         - Mike
       

[Jopson]

Hey Pavel, check your Messages.

[fudgie]

Someone has to be the dick. 

Fixed it for you!  See you in less then 2 weeks. 

[baldo]

Someone has to be the dick. 

Fixed it for you! 

Hey, that's my line.......

[Gavin_Sons]

Someone has to be the dick. 

Fixed it for you!  See you in less then 2 weeks. 

thanks Fudge

[Ice]

Hey Pavel, what a great trip your having, makes me jealous. One question though, where in the hell did you store all that stuff??????? I see your bike packed down but not that extensively to have tent, cooker, pots and pans and all the other things you have along. Either your one hell of a packer or I am missing something.
Thanks so much for sharing your adventure 

[Misfit]

I am in Colorado Springs and will be glad to help. 719-650-9648 

[Pavel]

Hi Guys.
I would like to thank you all.You just proved this group works great and you are able to help each other.
After all I met a guy on gas station and he offered me his garage with jack.So I lifted up took the wheel off and found that I just over grace it.
So I am sorry that I made this post after all she running just great and we are continuing in our trip.
I promise I will make some useful post here about tires and oil(I am trying different brands)and other thinks what I learned on the trip.
We are in Yellowstone now and after we are going to coast and down south.South tip of Argentina is finish line for us.
We still have little bit over 6months to go.So I will share my experiences during or after the trip with this forum.
Anyway I would like to meet so members on the way and have beer and chat about bike.So if you are in our way let me know and we can stop by for short chat.

For now I tried Metzelers and Avon's.I also tried Motul,Mobil 1and Shell(all full synthetic)So later on I will do some report so some people can find it useful.

Thanks again for all offers I got.And sorry I didn't get back to you but I don't have data and we stop just once in awhile for Wi-Fi somewhere.

Have fun and I will stay in touch.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'm glad you came back  I'm not sure of your route (non facebooker) If you are headed this direction, I'd love a meet up. 

[Cracker Jack]

Hi Guys.
I would like to thank you all.You just proved this group works great and you are able to help each other.
After all I met a guy on gas station and he offered me his garage with jack.So I lifted up took the wheel off and found that I just over grace it.
So I am sorry that I made this post after all she running just great and we are continuing in our trip.
I promise I will make some useful post here about tires and oil(I am trying different brands)and other thinks what I learned on the trip.
We are in Yellowstone now and after we are going to coast and down south.South tip of Argentina is finish line for us.
We still have little bit over 6months to go.So I will share my experiences during or after the trip with this forum.
Anyway I would like to meet so members on the way and have beer and chat about bike.So if you are in our way let me know and we can stop by for short chat.

For now I tried Metzelers and Avon's.I also tried Motul,Mobil 1and Shell(all full synthetic)So later on I will do some report so some people can find it useful.

Thanks again for all offers I got.And sorry I didn't get back to you but I don't have data and we stop just once in awhile for Wi-Fi somewhere.

Have fun and I will stay in touch.

Looking forward to your findings on oil. Am going to change mine soon and am not sure what I should be using. Tire information would be helpful also!! 

[baldo]

Pavel,

I've checked out your FB page, love the pix and commentary.

I'm extremely jealous. That would be a trip of a lifetime....

Good luck to you and your girl......

Be careful out there......

[Jess from VA]

Trip of a lifetime. 

But riding south through Mexico, and some of Central and South America is more than a bit dangerous, don't you think?

And you have to satisfy each country's insurance requirements too, no?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Trip of a lifetime. 

But riding south through Mexico, and some of Central and South America is more than a bit dangerous, don't you think?

And you have to satisfy each country's insurance requirements too, no?

I don't think I'd even ride to Tiajuana anymore. Much less all of Mexico and South America .